My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

opened it. Before she could even offer some to

cake is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she

group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

close her eyes

Rachel must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go to

had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty,

Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

thank you!” their parents instructed,

Just like that,

smiled for the

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As

so I might as well pretend it never existed for now.

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

turned and headed

she was inside her apartment and about to

loud slam, the door was propped open

at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

out on business? she

sideways into the house and shut

been getting along fine without

steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want

her, forcing her back

had no idea what she

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was